Shoshin NagamineFounder and Head of
World Matsubayashi-ryu
Karate Association

Note: The following article appeared in the commemorative
journal for the 55th anniversary of the founding of Matsubayashi-ryu-Ryu and the
85th birthday of Sensei Shoshin Nagamine. The text has not been edited but
it has been formatted in HTML.

Shoshin Nagamine

On 15 July 1907, I was born in
Tomari-son, Naha City, of my father, Shoho and my mother Gozei. Though my
physique was rather small, I was active and aggressive as any other
healthy boys in my preschool days. Completing the compulsory education of
primary school in March 1923, I entered Naha City-run 5-year Commercial
School. However, when I was second-year student of the school, I suffered
from a gastroenteric disorder and given a medication for some time. But,
because of inefficacy of the medication, I had to resort to a diet, while
practicing Karate at the backyard of neighbor friend, Mr. Chojin Kuba. It
was in 1926 and I was 17 years of age.

Though the hard work both at school and
training of Karate, I succeeded in recovering from illness, making me
quite confident of good health. When I reached the senior year, I had a
chance to participate, as a leader of Karate Club, in an annual martial
arts of Kendo and Karate among various schools. In those days, I began,
earnestly, work out every night at the ground of Tomari Primary School,
under the guidance of old master, Mr. Kotatsu Iha.

After graduation in March, 1928, I
started a full-scale practice, becoming the disciple of Mr. Taro
Shimabukuro of Shuri City, who was senior of me by one year. It was my
daily task to cover 8 km road between Shuri and Naha on foot to master the
art of Karate. Thanks to the warmhearted encouragement of brother Taro, a
hope was aroused in me, was enamored with the charm of martial art, and
thus my appetite for Karate surpassed that of eating. Under the guidance
of another Sensei, Ankichi Arakaki, I made further progress in the skills
of Karate.

Recovery of health was complete then, I
was 162 cm tall with marvelously developed physique. In 1928, I was
examined for conscription, and passed it as class 'A' infantryman, and
assigned to the 47th Infantry Division stationed in Oita Prefecture,
Japan. In April of the same year, I was dispatched to skirmishes in Sainan,
China, and in July next year, returned to Okinawa after an honorable
discharge from the military service. Thinking about my future profession
in which I may be able to utilize the skills of Karate, I decided it was
policeman. And, in 1931, I was appointed a policeman of Okinawa
Prefecture. The notion that I should scientifically study Okinawa Karate
which, had never been systematically analyzed in the past, and the wishes
for cultivating and training of body and mind could never get out of my
mind.

During my first assignment days at
Kadena Police Station, from December 1931 through August 1936, I was
deeply influenced by direct guidance of most famous Sensei, Mr. Chotoku
Kyan who became my second teacher. In April 1936, I was sent to the Tokyo
Metropolitan Police Department, as a trainee policeman, and, during a
six-month period I had a chance to receive some advice about peculiar
Kumite movements from then celebrated master of Karate, Mr. Choki Motobu
in Hongo ward, Tokyo. After returning to Okinawa, I continued to serve as
a policeman of Okinawa Prefectural Police force.

On the recommendation of Sensei, Chojun
Miyagi, founder of a different school called Goju-ryu, I was given a title
of Renshi, in May 1940, from the Great Japan Botoku (Respect for the
martial arts) Association at the Butoku Festival held in Kyoto, Japan.
Realizing the existence of common essence between Kendo and Karate, I
began practicing Kendo in 1938. After assiduous efforts made for some
time, I was awarded a Sandan in Kendo in 1941, and had an opportunity to
participate in the policemen's martial arts contest among Kyukyu,
Yamaguchi and Okinawa blocs which took place in Nagasaki Prefecture. In
December 1941, I was dispatched, as a trainee, to Police University in
Tokyo and, while I was there, given a chance to demonstrate the police-Karateman's
mysteries of Karate before a large audience of policemen of the
Metropolitan Police Special Guard Division.

My duty as a chief of an Emergency
Ration section of Naha Police Station during the World War II days put me
under very dangerous situation in the fiercely fought battleground
covering from Shuri to Shimajiri village in southern part of the island.
But, hearing the news that defending Japanese Imperial Army Lieutenant
General Ushijima committed suicide on June 22, 1945, I realized the
absurdity of continuing fighting, so, with three fellow policemen in the
same bunker surrendered to the U.S. Armed Forces.

While engaged in the transportation of
casualties in Iraha village with other POWs, I happened to find on the
road a book entitled "Introduction to Karate" by Sensei, Ginchin
Funakoshi, by which I determined to lead a life of Karateman and find a
hope to struggle against adversities. July 6, the same year, we the POWs
were transferred from Iraha to Kocha, Ginoza village for the cultivation
of the farm, while leading a life of refugees.

In the following December, I was
appointed acting marshal of Taira Police Station and in May the next year,
Awarded a position of marshal of Naha Police Office and moved there.

In July 1947, I was allocated a
standardized house in Makishi ward, Naha City, and after settling down for
a while, a temporary dojo was opened with the addition of wings to
housing. The dojo was named Matsubayashi-ryu Kododan Karate and Ancient
Martial Arts Study, where I began practicing and teaching Karate to
youngsters. During the war, Okinawa was a scene of carnage between the
U.S. and Japanese forces, eradicating distinctive culture, greenery of
landscape, kind and admirable characteristics of people, and an often
referred to as 'the Land of Courtesy' became the thing of the past. Young
people lost their spiritual guidance and fell into decadence, public
morals corrupt, moral decline caused an increase in the number of serious
crimes.

A matter requiring immediate attention
in such a situation was to implant in the minds of youngsters an
indomitable spirit. Though I felt keenly the necessity of building an
independent dojo where I may be able to mingle with the young, practicing
together and sweating together, but its realization was a remote
possibility where there was nothing but everything was reduced to ashes.

In the meantime, I was promoted to
superintendent and chief of police at Motobu District Police Station in
January, 1951, and was busy preparing for the All Ryukyu Judo Contest
scheduled for October, gathering all the young but white-belt policemen.
Main purpose in the training was to make progress in judo skills, but they
were to work out in Karate also. It was a very sad incident, however, when
a policeman, Siezen Ishikawa, was accidentally killed during practice. I
still feel bitter remorse about the mishap. Participants in the contest
were from such a large police stations as Maehara, Koza, Shuri and Naha,
all of these some 200-strong organizations, while our Motubu team had only
60 men, out of which 8 white belts took part in the competition.

Nonetheless, our team won the victory,
beating all the 13 participating stations. It was really a fruitful effort
after so much workouts and training. Our hard was finally paid off when
all the members of our team, including me, were promoted to black belts.
When I decided to quit after serving as superintendent for a year,
however, fellow policemen begged me to stay in my position. But, my strong
determination to follow a Karateman's life tore myself from my
policemen-friends with a bleeding heart.

In January 1953, I managed to build a
long-cherished and full-scale Karate dojo for the first time in Naha and
restarted, hanging up a shingle as "Matsubayashi-ryu Karate Kodokan". In
the following December, I ran for election to the Naha City municipal
assemblymen and served for three terms and recommended for vice chairman.
I resigned the post in 1957. After that I had my dark days following the
failure in business twice, but even at the nadir of my fortune, continued
the practice of Karate.

From time to time, I had vague feeling
of anxiety in tackling with Karate and my way of living. Just then, I had
a chance to read "Gorinsho" (Book of Five Wheels) written by Miyamoto
Musashi, in 1963, and was much moved. Already I had read through a book
titled "Teshhukoji-no-shinmenboku" (Buddhist layman and master swordman,
Teshhu's true self). Luckily I was given a hint in going ahead of my way
as a Karateman through the reading. The two were unrivaled swordmen in all
ages, had common in intelligence, bravery and physical power, embraced the
Buddhist faith so as to have an unbending spirit, practiced Zen meditation
for art of war, and devoted whole heart to the spiritual problems. These
pioneers of martial arts opened my eyes to re-orient my physically bent
Karate to the togetherness of Fists and Zen. So I was resolved to adopt
Zen meditation as part of Karate practice ever since.

As famous Zen Buddhist, Dogen once said,
"Accomplish what you cherish in your mind", I became, by a happy chance,
disciple of Zen priest, Sogen Sakiyama of Enkakuji in October and began
Zen meditation course within the dojo. As the priest went to the U.S. for
preaching, I begged teachings from Keisho Okamoto, another priest of
Rengein of Itoman, and furthermore from Shuzen Kise, priest of Jushoin of
Chatan for Zen practice.

Four classes of Karate are held daily in
my dojo, during each class, a 15-minute Zazen (Zen meditation) is given
for the strengthening of minds and instilling philosophy of meaningless of
surprise attack and, not the defense but true sense of victory without
fighting. Under the conviction that togetherness of Zen and Karate is the
one and only way to master the real way of Karate, and hoping that many a
young Karate experts be nurtured, I am enjoying Karateman's life, with the
spirit of wholeheartedness of health and longevity.

Personal History of
Shoshin Nagamine

Record

July 15, 1907, Born in Tomari-son, Naha City, Okinawa, Japan.

March, 1928, Graduated from Naha City-run Commercial School.

January, 1929, Enrolled in the 47th Infantry Division, Oita
Prefecture. Dispatched to the skirmishes of Sainan, China in April the
same year.

December, 1931, Appointed prefectural policeman of Okinawa.

January, 1951, Promoted to senior superintendent and chief of
police of Motobu Police Station

January, 1952, Retired the position mentioned above.

January, 1953, Founded a full-scale Karate Dojo in Naha City,
While teaching Karate, served as Naha municipal assemblyman for three
terms, and worked as a member of board directors of a firm. Presently
teaching Karate.

Decorations

April, 1929, Bestowed by Decoration Bureau, Prime Minister's
Office, the Eighth Order of Merit, in recognition of military service
during the Sainan skirmishes in China.

1977, Won a prize for teaching Karate and physical education
promotion from the Okinawa Times.